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The ultimate hip-hop-fueled fighting video game features more than 70 characters, including more than 35 of the most well-known artists and personalities in hip-hop today, including Busta Rhymes, Carmen Electra, Lil’ Kim, Ludacris, Method Man, Redman, Sean Paul, Slick Rick, Snoop Dogg, and many more. Def Jam Vendetta II challenges players to step into the shoes of a ruthless NYC street fighter battling for control of the hip-hop underground. The game features an all-new fighting engine allowing gamers to customize multiple fighting styles as the deep new story mode takes the action well beyond the ring and into the streets. Master each fighting style: street fighting, kickboxing, martial arts, wrestling, and submission fighting. Combine up to three styles to create devastating hybrid-styles, complete with new "blazin' moves" to finish off your opponent. Build your own street-ready fighter and outfit him with thousands of pieces of unlockable licensed gear, tattoos, and even bling from the Jeweler to the stars, Jacob the Jeweler. [Electronic Arts]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 100
Operation Sports
I love this game! As a guy who still breaks out the N64 for my wrestling fix, seeing the AKI engine in living color on my Xbox is a treat. Wrestling fans, fighting fans, UFC fans, Hip-Hop fans - just gaming fans are going to love this game.
 93
PGNx Media
The game’s actual fighting has also been incredibly revamped.
92
Gamezilla!
A custom soundtrack and some truly righteous graphics finish this title’s impressive pedigree of features.
90
Extreme Gamer
Def Jam is near perfect and gives us customization you don't get with other fighters.
90
1UP
This game could have been conventional and predictable -- instead, it's something fresh and original, backed up by top-notch production.
90
Stuff
As far as sequels go, Fight for NY is to "Vendetta" what "The Empire Strikes Back" was to "Star Wars."
90
eToychest
I recommend it if you aren’t squeamish about knocking the crap out of very realistic and very familiar looking people.
90
DarkStation
Just an extremely impressive game. Although the game does have camera issues, luckily it does not detract from the gameplay.
90
Boomtown
Undoubtedly a great fighting game. The story, characterisation and difficulty level all make this a compelling title.
90
Yahoo! Games
The level of work that went into this game is way beyond the norm. It's obvious that no expense was spared in making Def Jam Fight For NY a big-time title... It's one the most polished fighting games available.
90
GameShark
Probably the best fighting game I've played in a long time. AKI has finally managed to step away from the wrestling game genre that made it a household name and create an experience that is - in a lot of ways - more of a satisfying experience.
90
Game Power Australia
A game that practically reinvents the original and presents what's arguably one of the most visceral, compelling fighting experiences you're likely to have this side of 2005.
90
GameZone
More than just an excellent sequel to a brilliant fighting game--it’s an extremely addictive fighting game with its own sense of style.
90
Total Video Games
A really good beat-en-up that really absorbs players. Graphically the game is very well done, and the soundtracks enhance the whole hip-hop underground scene that the title is trying to represent and exaggerate.
90
AceGamez
Although the violence is a lot harsher, the gameplay and tension has been revamped to give a more intuitive feel without losing the need to improve those button tapping skills.
90
Xbox World Australia
One of the top fighting games currently on the market. Gameplay, graphics, production values and music are all top notch and its appeal to a wider gaming audience is ensured due to its simpler fighting control system.
89
Game Chronicles
Fight for NY may be a bit of a button masher, but there is enough style to the presentation and depth to the system that you can get beyond this. If you’re a fan of rap music in general, or any of the artists involved, you’ll probably enjoy this title.
89
Kombo
As it stands, DJ:FFNY has probably the best combat system of any fighter, and neither fans of the fighting genre, nor the wrestling genre, should miss out on this fight.
89
Next Level Gaming
So much better then the last version. And with saying that, the last version was also great. One problem I did find was how hard this game was. You can set the level of difficulty but damn even the easy is tough!
89
Gaming Target
Not only the most vicious wrestling on the planet but it also has tons of style and it plays great.
88
IC-Games
That M rating is certainly earned. While brutal violence, rampant objectification of women, a drive-by shooting or two, the occasional f-bomb, and death by subway train are all great stuff for a bunch of responsible adult gamers, the little kiddies may be unhealthily influenced.
88
Xbox Evolved
Featuring brutally fun and intense gameplay that’s easy to jump into while offering plenty of depth and incentive for mastery, Fight for NY looks, sounds and most importantly, plays like a charm.
88
Game Informer
As for the action itself, this is some very fast-paced and brutal - very brutal - action. Although the control scheme is relatively simple, you'll quickly learn that ther is an exact science to adminstering grapples and harsh environmental moves at just the right moment. [Oct 2004, p.126]
87
Game Over Online
A larger story line, greater number of options and plenty of interactive environments make this title one for any fight fans. It may not completely live up to its design, but it more than makes up for it in style.
87
Team Xbox
If you are looking for a hardcore multiplayer fighter, this might fall short of your expectations, but players who would enjoy a killer single player mode with a griping storyline will be hard pressed to find a better choice than Fight for NY.
87
GameSpot
No doubt, this is a more brutal, bloody, and foul-mouthed effort than last year's game, but this emphasis on mature content is backed up by great gameplay and an incredible atmosphere.
87
IGN
Even if you don't end up the biggest fan of the grappling system, the Blazin' Moves are certain to leave anyone impressed. There's a great sense of fun, of true enjoyment in the development of Fight for NY and that translates to the game.
87
Electronic Gaming Monthly
The best part of all, though, is the story mode, which not only has a great create-a-fighter option, but also a surprisingly good story that almost flawlessly ties all aspects of the game together. [Nov 2004, p.132]
86
Inside Gamer Online
Really delivers on all fronts. Sure it has its minor flaws, but with a stellar story, crazy amounts of celebrities, licensed soundtrack, and fun fighting engine, you would be hard pressed to find a game as enjoyable as Fight for NY.
86
Armchair Empire
Tons of fighters and techniques make Def Jam: Fight for New York worth every penny.
85
WHAM! Gaming
A challenging level of difficulty plus next-to-useless instructions makes Def Jam: Fight For NY harder than it needs to be. But once you master your skills (and overlook the camera problems), it's one of the most viscerally fun brawlers in ages.
85
Worth Playing
A game with depth and replay value, both of which are wrapped up inside of a carefully prepared, impressively executed package.
85
GameBiz
With a new fighting system, four player battle mode, story mode, hot girls, over forty hip hop persona’s, twenty interactive environments, and stunningly brutal moves make this the most appealing fighting game in 2004.
84
BonusStage
The game is easy to pick up and play, the sound and graphics are spectacular, and the amount of content jammed onto this DVD is just mind-boggling.
84
My Gamer
The lighting is really well done, and the character models are all highly detailed, as are the animations for their special moves. During the blazin’ mode, the screen takes on a golden amber aura that looks truly awesome.
84
Official Xbox Magazine
It's certainly no "DOA3" or "Soul Calibur 2," but it definitely brings plenty of fresh style and unconventional action to a genre that's been on autopilot for years. [Nov 2004, p.78]
83
XGP Gaming
Ludacris' line from the Usher song, "Yeah," could not better describe Def Jam: Fight for NY. "We want a lady in the street, but a freak in the bed."
83
Gaming Age
The controls feel precise and fluid as they react according to the situation you are in. If one thing that may be a downer to some casual gamers is the difficult A.I. in the game.
80
MS Xbox World
Looks and sounds great but not having the option to tweak your moves is absolutely unforgivable.
80
Gamer.tv
Improves on "Vendetta" in every aspect [with a] well-told story mode and improved fighting engine.
80
Maxim Online
Should the lyrically challenged feel left out, you can create your own brawler outfitted in ice courtesy of celebrity bling supplier Jacob the Jeweler. Better to look good than to—ow—feel good.
80
Xbox Nation Magazine
NY is undoubtedly a solid fighter, but it simply lacks the grace or charisma to become a true heavyweight champion.
80
Sydney Morning Herald
The fact that it's got the deepest story ever seen in a fighter simply adds to the realistic feel of the brutal combat within.
80
G4 TV
An incredibly fun game born of a fascinating concept that follows through on its potential in almost every way. If you’re a fan of hip-hop, or of solid grapplers with a huge does of the old ultra-violence, you’ll find plenty here to keep you bouncing in your seat.
80
GamePro
A little less time spent programming various styles of Sean John sweaters in favor of shoring up the rough spots would have been nice, but such gripes are placated by the sheer enjoyment that comes from viciously grinding an opponent’s face against a chain-link fence.
80
GameSpy
Straight up, the fighting in this game is insanely violent. The sound effects accompanying the moves are harsh and explosive, and the animations are completely over the top. That said, you'll be hard pressed to find a fighting game with a more satisfying sense of impact.
75
Game Revolution
An extremely violent, bloody, foul-mouthed and visceral fighter filled with plenty of style. Unfortunately, good looks, a cool character creator and some sweet environments are commodities that lose their luster after several hours of play.
75
TotalGames.net
Getting a slapping is easy because there are no reversals but the game looks decent enough and has the smooth freestyle action to leave you cheering to a rapper's delight long after the blood and gold chains have been scrubbed off the canvas.
70
games(TM)
A more solid, playable and visually splendid grappler than this will be hard to come by... If it weren’t for the fact that you can easily clock Story mode and unlock everything in a weekend, we’d have a much easier job recommending Fight For New York. [Nov 2004, p.108]
70
NTSC-uk
Like a true lifestyle Gangsta, it’s followed a path that’s short, fast and furious, fulfilling the glories of that journey at every turn. One only has to revisit the disposable Wu-Tang: Taste The Pain to realise how difficult a task has been achieved.
70
PALGN
A solid street brawler with just a few small issues holding it back from greatness. A nice effort from EA, and we expect that things will get better in the future.
66
Ferrago
The opponents seem to always outclass you, with the AI coming across as simplistic, relying instead on superior stats as opposed to any kind of impressive fighting prowess.
60
EuroGamer
This is not a discerning game. It's exploitative and very well made, although not flawless enough to raise any eyebrows from those heavily into games and certainly not enough to tempt you away from the myriad, more hardcore offerings this Christmas.
58
Play Magazine
New fighting styles, more weapons, added match types, rowdy crowds and some wicked, brutal environmental interactions help make up for the watered-down brawling. [Oct 2004, p.87]
Daniel A. gave it an8: Shadow S. gave it a10: Tom C. gave it a10: F. G. gave it a10: Robert C. gave it a5: Henry P. gave it a 10: Bigmacwithfries gave it a 9: |
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